HJ370: Commending the Republic of China (Taiwan).


Offered February 27, 2020
Commending the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Patron-- Keam

WHEREAS, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States have enjoyed a longstanding partnership and share many common values, including freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law, and a market-based economy; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Taiwan ranked as the second-freest country in Asia and ranked 10th among 180 world economies in terms of economic freedom, demonstrating the strength and vitality of its democratic system and showcasing Taiwan as a beacon of democracy for Asia and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan is the 11th-largest trading partner of the United States, the 15th-largest export market in the world for American goods, and Virginia’s fifth-largest market in Asia, which generated more than 4,527 jobs and $467.7 million in trade and investment ties for the Commonwealth in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is home to approximately 12,000 Taiwanese Americans who contribute significantly to the Commonwealth’s economy, education, and the arts, and the Sister Cities designation between Loudoun County and New Taipei City further bolsters the friendships among Virginians and Taiwanese residents; and

WHEREAS, during the 2018–2019 academic year, 23,369 students from Taiwan studied in the United States, making Taiwan the seventh-leading place of origin for students coming to the United States, and contributed more than $902 million to the United States economy through spending on tuition, accommodations, and living expenses; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has proven to be a very valuable contributor in a broad range of global issues and could participate more meaningfully if granted access to various international organizations, including the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and International Criminal Police Organization; and

WHEREAS, Virginia recognizes Taiwan’s efforts to participate fully and effectively in global affairs and will continue to support its market economy, democratic institutions, and significant contributions to the world; and

WHEREAS, Virginia welcomes all opportunities for an even closer economic partnership with Taiwan to increase trade and investment and endorses Taiwan’s effort to secure the signing of a United States-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement to boost greater Virginian exports to Taiwan and to bring more Taiwanese investment to the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Republic of China (Taiwan); and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Stanley Kao, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the strong relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Commonwealth.